[Disulfiram and acute liver damage]

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Hepatology
• Neurology

Background:

• Disulfiram is a widely prescribed medication for alcohol use disorder.
• Its established safety profile is generally associated with mild side effects.
• Serious adverse events are infrequently reported in clinical practice.

Observation:

• A patient receiving therapeutic doses of disulfiram developed acute liver damage.
• The patient also exhibited neurological symptoms during treatment.
• These adverse events occurred despite the drug's generally recognized safety.

Findings:

• Therapeutic disulfiram doses can precipitate severe hepatotoxicity.
• Neurological manifestations are a potential, albeit rare, side effect of disulfiram.
• This case underscores the importance of monitoring liver function and neurological status.

Implications:

• Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for disulfiram-induced liver injury.
• Enhanced patient monitoring may be necessary for individuals on disulfiram therapy.
• Further research into the mechanisms of disulfiram toxicity is warranted.